The early estimates as to the potential of the Florida State basketball team were modest, at best. Picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the ACC during the preseason, the Seminoles have raised some brows, not just within the conference, but across the country.
FSU is one of just two undefeated teams remaining in the ACC, along with Miami, which has led to a No. 19 AP ranking for the ’Noles. And the national pundits have taken notice.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released his most recent bracketology yesterday, and he has FSU all the way up to a 5-seed in his NCAA Tournament projection. It’s also worth noting that the Seminoles are the only 5-seed trending upward, while fellow 5-seeds Florida, Notre Dame, and Gonzaga are all on the downslide.
At present, Lunardi has Florida State facing 12-seed Towson in the South Region, a game to be played in Boise, Idaho. FSU began as a 9-seed in Lunardi’s August projections, before sliding to an 11-seed in early November. The ’Noles have held even or climbed every week since.